3 Outside the box Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback options
By Nick Halden
Unless the Atlanta Falcons make a blockbuster move the plan seems to be heading into the 2023 season with Desmond Ridder as the favorite in a quarterback competition. Ridder isn’t going to be handed the job and will be forced to show he is capable of becoming Atlanta’s next franchise quarterback.
This is where things get tricky for the Falcons providing a dependable veteran backup without starting a quarterback controversy. Much as was the case with Marcus Mariota in the 2022 preseason Desmond Ridder needs to actively lose any preseason and camp quarterback battles for the team to make a change.
If it is anywhere close Ridder should be named the starter and given the season to prove whether or not he is the answer.
While Atlanta needs to be focused on building a team around Ridder there should also be the expectation of signing a quarterback who Atlanta believes can win games if Ridder is taken out of the lineup. Looking at potential outside-the-box options to compete with Desmond three players stand out as potential fits for Atlanta.